1793. mn art of life. 291 
of others, who wait its periodical arrival as Euro- 
peans do a thoal of herrings* ; however, it is impof- 
sible not to observe even in public calamities, the 
goodnefs of the creator, who renders his occasional 
instruments of punifhment to one portion of the hu- 
man species, constant blefsings to another. 
In a second letter, I fhall finifh my fketch as far as 
intended by q 
~ ARCTICUs, 
FRAGMENTS OF LORD BACON. 
Art of life. , 
Cotaed from p- 172. and concluded. 
* * * € As it is characteristick of the human na- 
ture, in distinction from all others, to be inquisitive, 
fanciful, and religious, so in the subject matter of 
religion itself, it is of the nature ‘of man to be ine 
definitely various and whimsical, and since it is con- 
ceded by the .aost rigid and self afsuming orthodox 
divines, that our Saviour came not to annull the ob- 
ligations of natural religion, but to fulfil and direct 
them to our everlasting happinefs, so it is no small 
part of the art of life, to prepare in old age for 
death, without harafsing either ones self or others, 
with modes of faith, which, as to the main point of 
happinefs either here or hereafter, is declared by 
the founder of our religion to be of no account. 
* We are told that John lived in the wildernefs on Zocusts and 
wild honey. 
VOL. xVil. ca } 
